The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-01
THEY DESIRE HARMONY.
President Cleveland Creets tho Eng
lish Advocates OF Peace.
The Memorial Presented with a
Flood of AnIcabIe Talk.
Hopes for the Future and Doubts of
the Present.


CATION, here to enlist cooperation in secur-
ing treaty between Great Britain and the
United States through which international
disputes shall be amicably settled by arbi-
tration. called on President Cleveland this
afternoon. Accompanying the deputation
were Mr.. VIM. Jones, Secretary Of the Peace
Association of London, Rev. Rowland b.
Howard of Boston, Messrs. John B. Wood
and Philip Q. Garrett of Philadelphia and
Rev. DR.. Eaton of New York. Andrew
Carnegie introduced the visitors to the Pres
ident in short address. Right Hon. Lyon
Playfair, representing the members of Par
lament, and Mr. John Wilson, representing
the Trade Congress, spoke briefly in support
of the movement.
Mr.. Cremer, M. p. Secretary Of the Work
ing Mems Peace Association, who originated
the memorial. then presented 1t to the Pres
ident and made an address in which he
stated that the document was signed by 233
Liberal and Conservative Commoners, in
Guiding twenty-one members Of the recent
government, and was approved by thirty
seven members Of the House of Lords, Mr..
SpurgeOn, Cardinal Manning, Rev. Newman
Hull, the Lord Mayor of London, Mr.. Glad.
Union. representatives of the trades unions
and by all classes Of Englishmen. He then
said: The proposal was not made in our
own Parliament because the government Of
the United States, being free from old world
brOils and complications, Is, of all govern
ments in the world, in the most favorable
circumstances for taking the initiative.
No suspicion of ulterior designs or unworthy
motives could attach to proposal from you
or your Congress. AS several members of
Congress have already introduced bills
upon the subject which have been referred
to the committee on foreign affairs, it would
have been ungraciOuS on owr part to attempt
to deprive these Congressman, who initiated
such glorious movement, of their justly
earned laurels. We have confined our eff
forts to the two English speaking nations
because, by attempting too much, we should
multiply difficulties and be cOurting failure,
but we hope and desire your country and our
own would rejoice to enter into similar ar
rangements with any other nation in the
world"
The President responded as follows:
Gentlemen, the main and prominent idea,
so fittingly presented by you and by the
memorials you deliver, Is lofty and en-
nobling one, involving the presentation of
peace with all its manifold blessings. These
have, as civilization progressed, been more
recognized as the basis of national prosper
ity and happiness. This reflection may well
lead to surprise that peace has made no
greater progress in substitution for the vast
ing process OF war as the arbiter in inter-
national dispute. 1t is well that the minds
of good and Thoughtful men should be now
turned to this subject, and that concerted
movement should be made to supersede the
horrors Of war. 1t is well, too, that this
of two countries which proudly claim
to be in the van Of civilization and progress.
The people of this country boast that they
can exhibit in their prosperity and develop
ment more Of the victories of peace than
any other nation on the globe At the same
time. our history demonstrates that we need
to yield to none in the spirit of patriotism.
1t seems to me that country thus demon
strating the advantage Of peace, and at the
same time having no fear or suspicion Of
weakness, is in favorable condition to lis
ten TO the merits OF the case you present To
my mind there is nothing more touching or
persuasive than the part the laboring men
| of England have taken in this movement.
| They speak for their freedom from the in
creased cost OF living, induced by war.
| Nay, more, they speak for their homes, their
| families and their lives. cannot but think
| there are object lessons before the working
men of America which will readily awaken
| their sympathy with desire for condition
OF international understanding which shall
| alleviate the death and distress which wal
brings to their households. l am sorry to bt
| obliged to confess that the practical side oil
this question has received but little of my
attention. / am reminded, too, in the ad
ministration Of government that difficulty
1 often arises in the attempt to carefully apply
measures which in themselves challenge un.
| qualified approval. Thus it may be that the
| friends of international arbitration may not
be able at once to secure the adoption, in the
| whole extent, of their humane and benefceni
| scheme, but, surely, great progress should be
| made by sincere and hearty effort. promise
| you faithful and careful consideration of the
matter l believe l may speak for the
American people in giving assurance that
they desire to see the killing Of men for the
| accomplishment of national ambition abol-
| ished, and they will gladly hail the advent
OF peaceful methods in the settlement Of ma
| tional disputes, so far as this Is consistent
| with the defence and protection of our coun.
| try's territory and with the maintenance OF
| our national honor when it affords shelter
and repOse for national integrity, and per.
sonifies the safety and protection Of ouI
| citizens"
The deputation was invited by Mr.. Car.
| negie to visit Pittsburg. They leave here by
| special car by the Baltimore & Ohio tomor.
row morning On Friday they will visit
Philadelphia to spend few days.
Discussed at Brompton.
LONDON. Oct. 31.-The English-Americar
Conference at Brompton this morning dis
cussed the arbitration scheme. The Marqui:
| of Lorne presided and letters of approva
were read from Earl Granville, Lord VOLS,
ley and others.
PreIates and Peers Endorse Ii.
| Referring to the English peace memorial
the Archbishop of Canterbury writes: II
| America saw her way clear about this. En-
| glish Christians would be eager to accept it
should myself" Cardinal Manning says b,
| hopes that the President and Congress will
| give effect to the petition. "War between III
| and our brethren in America would be fra